Until he does, Noons remains on a national database of fighters under medical suspension, a rep from the California State Athletic Commission today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

“Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey” takes place March 3 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The event’s main card airs live on Showtime while preliminary-card fights air on Showtime Extreme.

A member of Noons’ camp was unaware of the fighter’s medical status, and a Zuffa official promised to look into the matter when contacted today.

The database is maintained by the Association of Boxing Commissions, which oversees recognized athletic commissions in the U.S. and Canada.

Noons was suspended indefinitely following a main-card fight against Billy Evangelista at “Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal.” After three rounds, he was declared the winner by unanimous decision.

Noons’ suspension was for a possible injury to his left eye. However, he can be cleared early by an opthamologist.

The CSAC rep said Noons will be taken off the registry with a click of a button if that clearance is received, and Ohio Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato said Noons then would be good to go.

Noons rebounded from a two-fight skid with a decision victory over Evangelista. The win put him one step closer to a coveted title shot against current champ Gilbert Melendez, who outpointed Jorge Masvidal in the Dec. 17 event’s headliner.

Masvidal spoiled Noons’ return to lightweight this past June after his unsuccessful bid for then-welterweight champion Nick Diaz’s title eight months prior.

American Kickboxing Academy product Thomson hasn’t fought since he lost a decision to Tatsuya Kawajiri at DREAM “Dynamite!! 2010,” which snapped a two-fight win streak. He was expected to return this past September at “Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” to face World Victory Road/Sengoku veteran Maximo Blanco, but he was forced to withdraw due to a foot injury.

The setbacks further delayed what many believe to be an inevitable rubber match with Melendez, whom he bested in June 2008 to win the Strikeforce lightweight title. But he lost the belt 18 months months later in a hotly contested rematch.

However, the winner of his fight with Thomson could very well move into a No. 1 contender’s position.

From Our Partners

The Latest

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.